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“No,” I laugh. “Some people—my father—think we shouldn’t regulate private schools, even if they were to hypothetically receive state funding. I can’t get behind that. I’m not putting tax dollars into a school that isn’t teaching math. But with criteria in place, I agree, parents should have options. Education isn’t one-size fits all, and schools should have the choice of what curriculum they want to use to meet a child’s educational goals.”
“We both went to private schools,” she laughs, no longer able to conceal her smile.
“The public school system was hard for Chris and me.” I can’t help laying my heart on the table when I’m around her. “There wasn’t a lot of support for kids with ADHD back then. It’s a lot better now, but I don’t take for granted that my parents had a choice for my education, whereas other parents don’t. Don’t get me started on how messed up the IEP process is for kids and their families.”
“Wait a minute, you have ADHD, like Chris? I had no idea.”
“It’s not something I announce with a megaphone when I meet people. For me, it’s more hyperfixation, while Chris struggles with impulsivity—or at least he used to when we were kids.” Talking about it onlyshines a light on the fact that Jaclyn is my fixation-du-jour. “Okay, that’s enough story time. Next one. Gun control.”
Jaclyn shuts her eyes and sits back in her chair, shaking her head. “I don’t like this game.”
“You’re rusty, Taylor,” I tease, and she laughs, just like she did when we were younger. Fuck, I miss how carefree she was. “You know the answer that’s expected of you, but when you’re representing a district, an entire state, or the country, you have to listen to everyone’s voices. There is neveroneanswer that fits. It doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing.”
Her fire is back when she asks, “Where doyoustand on gun control?”
As she lights up, I can’t help mirroring her smile, loving that she’s willing to play. With a little work, she’ll be ready to take office; I just hope Chris will support her when she does. For a brief moment, my mind wanders, imagining an alternate universe where we are prepping for her presidential debate with my face between her legs, or buried deep inside her. My cock twitches at the thought, and I quickly brush away the fantasy.
“This isn’t about me,wife.” Fuck… I like how that sounds a bit too much.
“I miss this,” she laughs.
I miss you.
“Me, too.” Her lips tilt up in a smirk, and I continue, “Allright, last one. What’s more important, animal safety or cost of goods?”
“I…” She fidgets with the hem of her dress. “I don’t know. Both?”
I lean over and tilt her chin to look at me. “Thatwas a trick question. But I agree, they’re both important. In the bill I was working on with Chris, the ranchers want their animals to be safe, and the large corporations are worried about cost. They are both right, so we need to find a way to help the consumer so they can afford to put food on their table, while also ensuring the animals are cared for properly. Both sides have dug their heels in, refusing to budge. Some people,who shall not be named, want tax cuts for the large corporations; they believe it will offset everything. If we’re being honest, we all know the additional cost will be passed along to the consumers anyway. It’ll just make the corporations richer.”
I sit back in the lounge chair, and she sighs in defeat. “I love that you have the courage to speak your mind, but I could never do what you did. If I wanted a chance of running—and winning—it would have to be in my father’s party, and I’d need to bend to the will of everyone around me.”
Taking her hand in mine, I swipe my thumb back and forth along hers. “Run for a House seat next year or in the midterms. Be honest in your campaign with what you believe in. It doesn’t matter which party—you’ll win.”
“Maybe in a few cycles. I’m not ready. Are… are the rumors true that you’re going to run for President? Your approval ratings are incredible. The country needs someone to bring everyone together.”
Like you…
“My staff and fellow senators want me to. I’m happy where I’m at, politically, and I have no desire to leave Texas. I can do so much more for this country as a senator. So, no need to worry, I won’t run against your husband,” I chuckle, but she finds no humor in it.
Jaclyn takes her hand back and reaches behind her, rummaging in her purse and taking out an envelope. I watch her curiously as she stands and stares into the fire.
“He doesn’t deserve to run,” she says quietly, ripping the envelope in half, and tossing it into the fire.
“Was that…?”
“The marriage certificate I’m supposed to file when I get back home,” she finishes. “I didn’t marry him yesterday. Chris didn’t recite his vows in front of God. You did. The document is a lie. He only wanted to marry me because of my last name, as a one-way ticket to the Oval.” Her gaze shifts to me. “Fuck that. I’m not his wife.”
I try my best not to laugh at her rare curse. Realization settling in, the blood drains from my face at her admission. “By that logic, you’re…” I can’t speak the words. No. She’s not mine, can never be mine, even though I promised myself to her at the altar.
“We’re stuck in a web of deceit. When we’re back home, I’ll find a way out of it.”
“And until then? What do you want?”
Jaclyn steps over her chair and surprises me by straddling my lap. Her hands resting on my chest, she replies softly, “The one man I shouldn’t.”
I grip her thighs, and a quiet moment passes between us, heat dancing in her eyes from the flames that mirror everything I’m feeling. “You know this is a terrible idea.”
In the end, she’ll go back to Chris, and I’ll be left to settle for someone who doesn’t make me feel half what Jaclyn has in two days. I’ll be stuck on the sidelines, watching my brother spend the rest of his life with her. I don’t get to keep her, butdamn it, I want to.
